The news of the death of Richard Matheson fills me with sadness. Mr. Matheson was a brilliant writer in so many genres: science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, and westerns. He was also a wonderful screenwriter, writing (among others) the screenplay for a number of Roger Corman's early Poe films, as well as adapting his novels, THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN, HELL HOUSE and SOMEWHERE IN TIME, and his short story, DUEL, for the screen. He and Ray Bradbury were good friends, and the trade paperback edition of Mr. Matheson's DUEL is dedicated to Ray. At a convention several years ago, Mr. Matheson noted that he had a letter from Ray, written in the early 1950's and encouraging him as a writer, framed and hanging in his home. He was one of my favorite writers, and will be sorely missed.

Actor Michael Ansara - known for appearances in STAR TREK and THE OUTER LIMITS, among many others - aged 91.

There's also a Bradbury connection: Ansara played the smale role of a butcher in Ray's " Shopping for Death " episode of ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS (which Ray adapted from his short story "Touched with Fire").

Originally posted by philnic:Actor Michael Ansara - known for appearances in STAR TREK and THE OUTER LIMITS, among many others - aged 91.

There's also a Bradbury connection: Ansara played the smale role of a butcher in Ray's " Shopping for Death " episode of ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS (which Ray adapted from his short story "Touched with Fire").

He played the role of a smale?!

A coincidence - I was just at his former wife's house a few days ago! Isn't it a small world?

Remember it indeed! First thing that came to mind when I heard that Karen Black had passed. And I'll bet that many on this site remember scaring their sister with an imitation of that creepy doll's attack cry....